A review of controlled trials found exercise trials for hot flushes gave mixed results, while one yoga trial reduced hot flushes and improved cognitive symptoms more than exercise.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2014Midlife womenCited 27 timesPubMed
In 19 postmenopausal breast cancer survivors aged 40 to 65, 24 weeks of aerobic exercise improved processing speed versus usual lifestyle, but self-reported cognitive function did not differ.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 19 women · 24 weeks · 2018PostmenopausalCited 96 timesPubMed
In a yearlong trial, 173 overweight postmenopausal women doing moderate-intensity exercise versus stretching had increased hot flash severity and less memory problems, with no other symptom changes.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 173 women · 52 weeks · 2004PostmenopausalCited 81 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors on endocrine therapy did six months of moderate aerobic exercise and showed improved processing speed, learning and working memory compared to usual care.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 153 women · 26 weeks · 2024PostmenopausalCited 24 timesPubMed
In 68 obese postmenopausal women, 12 weeks of treadmill exercise combined with the MIND diet improved cognitive and functional levels and changed sex hormone levels compared with diet alone.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 68 women · 12 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 14 timesPubMed
A scoping review of 19 studies found movement, mostly aerobic training, was linked to brain health benefits, such as executive function, in 68% of studies on perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2025PerimenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
In overweight and obese middle-aged women, 2 months of moderate aerobic exercise improved fitness and reduced body weight and blood pressure but did not change cognitive or motor performance.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 8 weeks · 2021Midlife womenCited 13 timesPubMed
Middle-aged women did 12 weeks of Zumba training with or without caffeine, with the combined group showing significant improvements in postural balance and cognitive performance on unstable surfaces.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 56 women · 12 weeks · 2023Midlife womenCited 4 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did low-impact dance three times weekly for 16 weeks, and researchers reported improvements in a bone formation marker and parts of cognitive and functional fitness.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 16 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 7 timesPubMed
Seventy one sedentary postmenopausal women did aerobic exercise with or without whole body vibration; both groups reported improved cognitive accuracy and bone-related markers, with vibration plus aerobic exercise more effective.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 71 women · 2025PostmenopausalCited 2 timesPubMed
In a 6-month RCT, postmenopausal women doing aerobic exercise showed greater improvement in executive function than those doing stretching/toning or premenopausal women.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 93 women · 26 weeks · 2026Midlife womenPubMed
In 72 postmenopausal women, 16 weeks of aerobic exercise alone or combined with whole-body vibration improved working-memory accuracy and brain signal markers, with vibration showing broader effects.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 72 women · 16 weeks · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
This narrative review summarized medical literature finding that regular exercise in midlife and postmenopausal women is linked with reduced obesity, cancer, dementia, mood symptoms, and osteoporosis.
Reported an improvementOther · 2015Midlife womenCited 56 timesPubMed
In 93 midlife women aged 35 to 63, regular exercise, especially resistance training, was associated with faster reaction time and better working memory under high cognitive load.
Reported an improvementCross-sectional study · 93 women · 2026Midlife womenPubMed
A trial protocol describes 168 sedentary overweight postmenopausal women randomised to interactive video dance, brisk walking, or delayed control, measuring adherence and cognitive function at six months.
Direction not statedOther · 168 women · 26 weeks · 2012PostmenopausalCited 8 timesPubMed
A review on menopause and cognition stated that strength training and regular aerobic exercise, alongside diet and hormone therapy, may help support cognitive resilience in postmenopausal women.
Direction not statedOther · 2026PostmenopausalCited 3 timesPubMed
A review described how regular physical activity including aerobic exercise, resistance training and yoga in midlife women supports cognition, sleep, mood and reduces chronic disease risk.
Reported an improvementOther · 2025Midlife womenCited 1 timesPubMed
A review reports that aerobic, resistance and multimodal exercise after menopause are associated with improved executive function, memory, attention and overall cognition.
Reported an improvementOther · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed